Open Letter For the VA

SSG Trevor S. — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 01:50:07 -0400

Dear Veteran's Administration,

One clue to fixing the issues within the VA is to quit posting jobs for the VA with the "Who May Apply" set to CURRENT PERMANENT VA EMPLOYEES. Just a hint; that might be what got the VA into the situation it is in right now.
It is my opinion that we have allowed in house empire building for far too long. I say we because the VA is ours, not the civilians that run it. We, as veterans, have placed our lives on the line, stood on shores far away from our families, and did so to protect those back here. The organization that is built to support us after we supported the nation is ours.
To be fair, there is a fair amount of Veterans working within the VA. They should compete with their compatriots with Veteran's Preference while civilians should not be shielded for in house hiring by placing jobs off limits to those who have not "cracked the egg". The era of empire building should end now.

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2014 3:38 AM

CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 03:38:42 -0400

Response by PO1 Joseph Topp made Jun 11 at 2014 9:21 PM

PO1 Joseph Topp — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 21:21:12 -0400

I totally agree..

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Jun 12 at 2014 1:34 AM

SPC Charles Brown — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 01:34:05 -0400

I concur

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2014 7:23 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 19:23:18 -0400

Veteran status is only worth a sad 5% advantage over a civilian off the street for a job in the VA system. Absolutely outrageous.

Response by SSG Geoffry Addison made Jun 8 at 2017 3:57 PM

SSG Geoffry Addison — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:57:03 -0400

Veterans only 15% of the Jobs in the VA. 98% of those jons are low level entery level jobs with little to know promotion potential. As a veteran and employee I have spoken with our brothers and sisters of service and the leading belief if that we as veterans are feared for our knowledge, our dedication twords us first and our no excusses aproch to careing for each outhet. I would say that 98% of the vets that I have spoken with beleive that no one takes care of vets like vets do. But it seems that the civilian majority that occupy the VA work force are keeping us out of the key decition making positions in order to keep the quid pro quo that we have now. Tacticaly I know what to do about a dug in enemy with superior numbers. But, unfortunatly I'm not a politicaly savy joe. At this point I have infitrated the beast and Im trying to influnce change from the inside while relaying info to the out side. Mainly what we have is a civilian beuracrosy that has dug into key strategic positions that are passed on to other like minded people. The caring of veterans is a top priority as long as it creats return customers, express a need for continuse need and retains job security for the decion makers. I have a boss who has a masters degree in health care managment , but has no clue on how to lead from the front and not the rear. I have been fired for attendace related to being deployed. I had to file complaint with the IG inorder to get my position back with the understanding that I keep my head down and walk the party line. Little do they know that I toss grenades of accomplish mission for the vets not the politions. Thoughts and sugestions are appreciated.